Cattern's Position

After their rout at Oviv-Gorai, the Japanese continued their retreat along the Kokoda Trail. The Australians pursued them on two parallel axis of advance, hoping to reach the coast at Sananada before Japanese reinforcements could be landed. For days, only small rearguards were encountered until the Australian 16th …

1942-11-20

A111

After their rout at Oviv-Gorai, the Japanese continued their retreat along the Kokoda Trail. The Australians pursued them on two parallel axis of advance, hoping to reach the coast at Sananada before Japanese reinforcements could be landed. For days, only small rearguards were encountered until the Australian 16th Brigade, with the 2/1st Battalion in the lead, found a strongpoint backed up by artillery astride the trail. A plan was worked out in which two companies, led by Captain Cattern, would swing to the left, clear a patch of Kunai grass and prepare to exploit the Japanese rear. They would then occupy a position across the main Japanese position that was confronting the rest of the battalion. Using the sounds of guns and mortars firing from the main Japanese positions, the Australians slipped behind the enemy’s lines. As they worked to get closer to the trail, some huts were spotted with Japanese cooking their evening meal nearby. Moving to within 50 yards, Cattern’s men fired a shattering volley into the Japanese before closing further. The surprised defenders rallied from gun pits, but many had died in the first few minutes of the assault. Digging in to either side of the track, Cattern’s men awaited a Japanese counterattack.

Soupta, New Guinea

The Battle of Buna–Gona was part of the New Guinea campaign in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. It followed the conclusion of the Kokoda Track campaign and lasted from 16 November 1942 until 22 January 1943. The battle was fought by Australian and United States forces against the Japanese beachheads at Buna, Sanananda and Gona. From these, the Japanese had launched an overland attack on Port Moresby. In light of developments in the Solomon Islands campaign, Japanese forces approaching Port Moresby were ordered to withdraw to and secure these bases on the northern coast. Australian forces maintained contact as the Japanese conducted a well-ordered rearguard action. The Allied objective was to eject the Japanese forces from these positions and deny them their further use. The Japanese forces were skillful, well prepared and resolute in their defence. They had developed a strong network of well-concealed defences.

Australian

Japanese

Scenario Type = Standard